Ep. 4: The one with Caitlin Eiben sharing 100's of events wisdom and custom GORUCK events
Sep 03, 2024
Click the image or click here to go listen now!
"If you're not questioning why you're there at somepoint, you're not doing it right." - Caitlin
Caitlin, co-leader of Steel City Ruck and the GORUCK Custom Events head honcho, and I dive into her journey with rucking and how a congenital knee deformity hasn't stopped her from doing over 100 GORUCK events. As someone who didn't like to workout at the gym and in front of people, she found that she loved Spartan/obstacle course races (she didn't run them) and then was introduced to GORUCK events and she was hooked!
She has 100's of events under her ruck and she shares her wisdom with humbleness and fortitude. I could talk with her all day about her experiences, stories, and why she loves being apart of this community! Enjoy the episode!
GEAR LIST
Tops:
I personally tend to overheat, so when it is warm, I will always opt for short sleeves. Sometimes I regret it, but most of the time I don’t. You can always bring a pair of sleeves if you have to low crawl or carry something that may agitate your skin.
I wear Nike or Under Armor Dri-fit shirts. Anything but cotton, and I don’t recommend tank tops. I originally bought the removable sleeves because I did Bragg two weeks post tattoo, but I plan to continue to use them to protect my arms if needed.
Bra: I don’t have a “go-to” bra, but I’d recommend one with wider straps so they don’t dig in to you as you’re rucking. I prefer racerback for events and, wool is always great for hot weather events!
Bottoms:
I wear pants for Toughs and Heavies no matter what the weather. For Basics and Lights, I go by the weather. Similar to my advice on tops, you may regret wearing shorts at times, but if you tend to overheat, it’s usually worth it. I also steer clear of leggings. In my experience, they don’t dry well and if you end up in the water or sweat a lot, say hello to a nice undercarriage chafe!
Personally, I wear GORUCK Simple Pants. I have worn these for the vast majority of my events for many, many years. I have never had a rip or tear. I do have some permanent dirt stains, but that should attest to the beatdown they have been put through. GORUCK does not sell them on their site in women’s sizes, but you can find the here at Rogue Fitness!
GORUCK Women's Simple Pants - Black | Rogue Fitness
Underwear: Wool all the way! Men or women, save yourself from chafing and invest in wool underwear for events
Cold weather layers:
I have a whole blog on cold weather gear. Many people drop cold weather events simply because they don’t wear the right gear.
So here are my base layers in order of how you would wear them:
Silk: It has a VERY high warmth to weight ratio
Wool: Icebreaker Merino Wool Shirts
Insulated Jacket:
Look for lightweight and packable. I typically will only wear this during rest breaks. If it’s a really cold event and I wear it on the move, I will always put a more durable layer overtop to prevent tearing.
Patagonia Women's Nano Puff® Insulated Jacket
Patagonia Women's Micro Puff® Insulated Hoody
Outer jacket (wind/rain shell):
You want it to be waterproof and I highly recommend pit zips so you don’t overheat.
Patagonia Women's Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
Socks: Again, no cotton! Wool socks are a very popular choice with Darn Tough being the most highly recommended. They come with a lifetime guarantee.
Women's Limited Edition Micro Crew Hiker 2-Pack – Darn Tough
A lot of people pair them with Injinji liners
Liner - Baselayer Toesocks | Injinji®
Shoes: I wear various shoes depending on the environment and length of ruck. Find out what works for your feet and make sure they aren’t waterproof!
MACV-2 - Mid Top - Origins – GORUCK
Women's Lone Peak Hiker 2 | Altra Running - Altra US
Bondi 8 Max Cushioned Road Running Shoe | HOKA®
I will say footcare is a very individual experience. What works for you may not work for someone else. I’ve been doing this for almost 8 years and I’m still figuring it out. I recommend reading this book to get some suggestions!
Accessories:
Hat: Performance TAC Hat - TOUGHDRY – GORUCK
Sunglasses: I prefer Goodrs, Knockarounds, or Air Fit. They stay on but are affordable enough that you won’t be devastated if they get a scratch or two.
Belt: I recommend a belt if you aren’t wearing leggings. If you are anything like me, your pants will get looser as the event goes on and you don’t want them falling down during low crawls!
Gloves:
Work: Milwaukee Demolition Gloves - XXL 48-22-8734 - Acme Tools
Cold weather: Harling – Sealskinz USA
Yes, Yes! Be a Guest!
I would be honored and elated to have you on the show! My mission is to share the stories of us, 'every day women', doing the work and kicking ass and dealing with what life throws at us through grit, humor, and maybe some swear words!Â
After booking your time via the button below, you'll receive an email with all the nitty gritty details for recording!Â
